Delta In Delta Variant Does Not Mean Deep Sleep
The Claim
The “delta” in the name for the COVID-19 delta variant means “deep sleep.”
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Emerging story
Since the beginning of the summer, social media users have been sharing the claim that the name for the COVID-19 delta variant comes from the name for delta brain waves, which are associated with deep stage sleep.
Users sharing this claim say that this confirms their suspicions over the validity of the strain. One user referred to it as a “new scam narrative,” with another claiming, “your injection will put you to sleep.”
Misbar’s Analysis
“Delta” in the name “delta variant” does not refer to deep sleep. Delta is the fourth letter of the Greek Alphabet and is the fourth variant of the coronavirus to have been identified by the World Health Organization.
The WHO began using Greek letters to identify mutated versions of the virus in late May. As, for example, delta is more formally known as B.1.617.2 to medical experts, the WHO proposed that using Greek letters was a more practical way for the non-scientific community to refer to the variant.
“Delta” refers to many other things in modern English: It’s the name of a landform at the end of a river; the name of an airline; the name of numerous cities; it’s used as a term in computing, chemistry, sports, and many other contexts. The claim comes from the name for the fourth most recognized of the brain waves, which are also named after Greek letters. Gamma refers to focused concentration, Beta describes a busy, active mind, Alpha is reflective and restful, Theta describes drowsiness, and Delta describes a state of deep sleep and dreaming.
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and the longer the coronavirus spreads throughout the world, the more likely other variants will occur. The delta variant is currently the most common strain in the U.S. It’s almost twice as contagious as other variants, and current data shows that delta causes more severe illness in unvaccinated individuals than other variants. Fully vaccinated people have also contracted breakthrough infections, though their symptoms are overall less severe. Even asymptomatic cases can be transmitted to others.
